by LOGAN, Utah — Senior Kaylin Randhawa hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds as Utah State women’s basketball pulled off the miraculous comeback to defeat Southeastern Louisiana, 73-71. The Aggies trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half and by four points with 25 seconds remaining.
The game began as a defensive struggle before an 11-0 run by the Lions gave Southeastern Louisiana a 15-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Aggies erased the lead with a 10-2 run to open the second frame but then surrendered an 8-0 SLU run to send the team into halftime facing a 32-23 deficit.
USU trailed by as many as 12 points in the third quarter before tightening the deficit with a 9-0 run. Midway through the fourth quarter, Utah State completed the comeback when a 3-pointer by Randhawa tied the game at 58 apiece. After the teams traded buckets for several minutes, the score was 63 all with less than two minutes remaining. Two made jumpers in the fastbreak gave the Lions a four-point advantage with only 25 seconds remaining, forcing a timeout from USU head coach Kayla Ard.
Following the timeout, junior Shyla Latone (Zuni Pueblo) hit a 3-pointer to spark the late rally. After the Lions went 1-2 from the free throw line, Randhawa found senior Laci Hawthorne in the paint to tie the game at 70. Going the other way, the Aggies were whistled for a foul that allowed Southeastern Louisiana to take a one-point lead at the FT line with nine seconds remaining. With one final chance, junior Faith Brantley found Randhawa in the fastbreak and the senior buried the triple to give the Aggies a thrilling 73-71 victory.
Latone led the Aggies with 23 points in the game while going 8-16 from 3-point territory. Randhawa finished with 18 points, five rebounds and three steals in addition to hitting the game-winner. Brantley tied a career-high with seven assists. Junior Adryana Quezada added six points and a team-high eight rebounds. Seniors E’Lease Stafford (Navajo) and Hawthorne each posted two blocks in the contest.
Utah State led the game at 3-2 early in the first quarter and then did not reclaim the lead until Randhawa’s 3-pointer in the final seconds. Is the USU’s third win this season after trailing at the half and the team’s second win after trailing by double digits. It is also the Aggies’ first road victory since winning, 58-56, at Boise State on Feb. 8, 2020.
